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One of the top ways to find sleepers each year is to scan the depth charts of the NFL's top offenses. Any time that Aaron Rodgers is the quarterback for an offense, it will be considered one of the tops offenses in the NFL and receivers in that offense will be intriguing fantasy options. After Jordy Nelson and Randall Cobb on the Packers depth chart is a trio of young wide receivers, in this piece, I will be discussing the sleeper merits and possible fantasy production to be expected of each.
ADP data according to MFL10 ADP as of 07/26/2016.
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2016 Fantasy Football Wide Receiver Sleepers
Davante Adams, ADP: 207 overall, WR82
Adams flashed serious potential as a rookie in 2014, totaling 38 receptions on 66 targets for 446 yards and three touchdowns. He also added 117 yards and a touchdown in a playoff win over the Cowboys. When Jordy Nelson went down in the 2015 preseason, Adams became one of the more highly-anticipated sleepers. However, he regressed a bit as a sophomore, tallying 483 yards on 50 receptions with just one score. Adams was also plagued by drops last season, failing to haul in six of this 94 targets. Again, like clockwork, he came up big in the postseason, snatching all four of his targets for 48 yards and a timely touchdown that gave the Pack a 17-11 lead over the Redskins.
Adams is the leading candidate for Green Bay’s third wide receiver spot heading into the 2016 season. He is an athletic wideout with size and the ability to make plays after the catch. He is a red-zone threat with strong hands— the drops were likely caused by a lack of confidence.
Perhaps the pressure got to him in 2015, but if he is able to win a starting job, Adams should produce enough to warrant a late-round draft selection.
Ty Montgomery, ADP: Undrafted
Montgomery was the Packers’ third-round selection in 2015. He collected 136 yards and two scores on 15 receptions as a rookie a year ago, but an ankle injury ended his season in mid-October and derailed his chance to take on a larger role following Jordy Nelson’s ACL tear.
Montgomery has a solid combination of strength and speed, with home run-hitting potential and the ability to shake off contact. However, his hands and route-running skills have come into question. He had 16 drops over his last three seasons in college, and some scouts question his overall makeup as a wideout.
The ankle injury could jeopardize his training camp participation, but a healthy Montgomery has a good chance of making the roster. Still, he is likely going to be used mostly on special teams, and may fall to the wayside in the passing game as a result.
Jeff Janis, ADP: 190 overall, WR71
In his second year with the Pack, Janis saw just 11 targets, totaling 79 yards on two receptions— both of which came in a Week 6 matchup against the Chargers. However, Janis came up huge in the NFC divisional game against the Cardinals. He caught seven of his 11 targets for 145 yards and two touchdowns, including the last-second heave from Aaron Rodgers that sent the game to overtime. Surely the 25-year-old earned his quarterback’s trust in the playoffs, but it remains to be seen whether or not he can earn more playing time for 2016.
At 6’3” and 219 lbs, Janis is bigger than both Adams and Montgomery. His athleticism and jumping ability are elite for a player his size, but like Montgomery, his hands and separation skills could use some work.
He has little success at the highest levels— he played Division II ball in college and has yet to garner a large role in the NFL. As a result, Janis will need an extended string of production this season before warranting a draft pick.
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